On March 23, 2017, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery (UWA) played host to a thought-provoking and informative four-person panel discussion entitle ‘Jewellery Today’. The panel of respected and established contemporary jewellers included Contemporary Metal’s Philip Noakes, who was joined by co-presenters Jacquie Sprogoe, Christel van der Laan and Bethamy Linton and with Robert Cook as MC and discussion moderator.
The panel members first spoke individually of their background and journey in the world of contemporary jewellery. Of particular interest to the many jewellery students and aspiring artists in the audience was how remarkably diverse and varied the pathways had been for these four, disparate makers.
The panel discussion, conducted in the shadow of Helen Britton’s outstanding ‘Interstices’ exhibition, centred around the challenges faced by Perth-based contemporary jewellery practitioners within a globalised art market and the merits of virtual and online channels for exposure and income. Discussion (and audience questions) also covered training and early-career opportunities for aspiring makers with the panel agreeing that in the current absence of strong and influential advocacy for contemporary jewellery in WA that the pathway for new entrants was unnecessarily uncertain.
The evening was a great success and a wonderful opportunity for all lovers of contemporary jewellery to hear from respected and important makers in this field.
